Senate frosh stalls Libya action over deficit

The rookie Republican from Wisconsin on Thursday blocked Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid from setting a vote next week on whether to authorize military action in Libya. The move will force Reid to hold a procedural vote first.

The objection stemmed from Johnson's insistence that the Senate deal only with budget matters.

“We’re simply not addressing the single greatest issue facing this country,” Johnson said.

Earlier this week, Johnson also threatened to withhold his consent to proceed with standard Senate business if no budget plan goes forward. By refusing to grant unanimous consent, one senator can force routine Senate business to grind to a halt.